Educators new to Aotearoa New Zealand

Starting your teaching journey in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. As part of our Hawaiki Hou kaupapa, this course supports educators new to Aotearoa to navigate the unique education landscape and grow with confidence.

You’ll explore tangata whenuatanga, te ao Māori, and ways to build culturally responsive practice, grounded in Professional Teaching Standard 1: Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership and guided by the Niho Taniwha framework developed by Dr Melanie Riwai-Couch.

You’ll also develop the skills to foster inclusive classrooms where learners feel safe, have their needs met, and remain focused on learning, supported by effective use of resources and technologies. This is connected to Domain: Professional Practice – Standard 5: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments.

Participants will be guided through the Niho Taniwha inquiry process - Whai, Ako, Mau, Tipu - creating a continuous cycle of reflection, learning, application, and growth. Together, Standards 1 and 5 form a coherent, culturally grounded pathway that supports new educators to know better and do better—for themselves, their learners, and their communities.

Why choose Hawaiki Hou - Educators new to Aotearoa, New Zealand?

Hawaiki Hou offers a purposeful, culturally grounded pathway that is:

• aligned to the 2026 Teaching Standards – setting you up for success from day one

• culturally responsive – guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tikanga Māori, ensuring authentic practice in Aotearoa classrooms

• practical and applied – choose a personal goal, put it into practice, and reflect on outcomes

• collaborative – share your learning and growth back with your team to strengthen collective capability

• future-focused – build the confidence and cultural capability to thrive as an educator in Aotearoa.

All participants who engage fully and complete each phase of the course will receive a Hawaiki Hou Certificate of Completion, providing formal evidence of professional learning and alignment with the 2026 Teaching Standards.

Who is this for?

This workshop is designed for teachers and leaders new to Aotearoa New Zealand who are ready to strengthen their practice by learning the history of this whenua through the lens of Māori. You will grow your understanding of the indigenous people of this land and deepen your connection with learners, building culturally responsive practice that enriches both teaching and relationships in the classroom.

Aligned with the 2026 Teaching Standards, Hawaiki Hou helps you meet your professional obligations, particularly Standard 1: Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership, ensuring you enter Aotearoa classrooms with integrity, confidence, and cultural capability.

Investment details:

• This workshop series costs $1,350 + GST per person.

A 15% discount applies for three or more educators from the same school or kura.

We require a minimum number of participants for each workshop to proceed. We’ll confirm viability with all registered participants ten business days beforehand.

Table of delivery dates and locations - four cohorts

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